Scripture: Jesus said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed,
. . . nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 , NIV
Baking
a pie is easy! You just need to get the materials, a recipe, and follow instructions.
Right? NO !?
And - Hey! Anybody can repair a gasoline engine.
Just need some tools, and dig in. No, again?
But of course anybody can do those things - if you
have one important item. Experience!! And knowledge, of course, but much
knowledge comes through experience. Hands-on, do-it to-it, make mistakes
and move on experience.
Some things are automatic, such as breathing and the
heart beating. Walking? Gotta practice! Talking? Humans are ‘wired’ for talking
early in development, but it takes time and exposure to talking people before
a child puts something together other than babble.
One thing about children, though, they are eager to
try most anything. Not so for adults, as adults usually are VERY reluctant
to try something with which they are not familiar. Children, up to the age
when they become self-conscious about looking silly, will sit down at the
computer, or make a stab at getting some sound to come out of a musical instrument.I've
known of adults who can easily bake a scrumptious pie, or strip down and
reassemble engines, dissolve into a pile of jelly at the very thought of
having to set the clock on a video tape recorder. I’ve heard of people who
stick a piece of tape over that flashing 12:00 -
Out of sight,
out of mind.
There is one very, very important factor in all this
talk about experience. First, we have to WANT to learn
how to bake a pie or repair an engine, operate a computer or play a musical
instrument. We have to acknowledge that we are starting with zero-zip-zilch
experience, but are willing to learn. And we have to have a teacher! An
experienced, knowledge-able teacher.
Think you can’t do any of those things on your “can’t
do/won’t do” list? You are never too old to learn and never
too young to teach. PRAY that you be found willing to do both, and that the
Spirit helps you, as Jesus promised.
Talk to non-Christians about heaven. Ask them if they
know Jesus. Invite them to church. Watch their faces; watch for the excuses,
the denials to start.
This is where you find out how good a teacher you are.
Can you assure them, interest them, lead them? Is your life such that they
can see God’s message radiating from your life?
Endeavor now, before time slips away, to try something
new. You may confound your doubting friends, amaze yourself, and make
God say, “See, I have given you powers you didn’t even realize you had.”
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